Best Mexican Restaurants in Toronto

Toronto loves tacos and you can’t go far in this city without stumbling across a casual taqueria. But while the taco trend still dominates menus across the city, there are a range of places serving up classic Mexican dishes, finer fare, creative ceviches, street-style snacks and even fully gluten-free menus. From much-loved spots like Seven Lives in Kensington and La Carnita, to newer additions like El Rey in Kensington Market amping-up the mezcal scene, these Mexican restaurants around Toronto have been winning new fans and continuing to reel in their loyal followers.

El Rey Mezcal BarWhen El Rey set up on Kensington Avenue last year, it upped the bar for finer Mexican fare and mezcal on the stretch of the market some lovingly refer to as “Little Mexico.” While the mezcal-packed bar menu and agave cocktails are the main event here, there are plenty of sharable dishes and snack-sized plates offering a break from other taco-heavy institutions around town. El Rey’s market-focused menu changes every three weeks or so, but includes constants like the tostada menu with around six selections at a time, empanadas and quesadillas, and a ceviche menu (the spring ceviche includes a light halibut dish with radish, cabbage, pistachios and pickled rhubarb). The dark and intimate space almost doubles in size during warmer months thanks to the large patio. If you’re new to mezcal or want to try some of the rarities, order one of two flight tasting options.

Photo courtesy of Distillery Restaurant Corporation

El CatrinEl Catrin has been bringing Mexican flair to the Distillery Historic District since it opened in 2013. It’s massive, heated patio is always busy and along with housing one of the most popular people-watching perches in the city, it claims to have Canada’s largest mezcal and tequila menu with 120 labels to choose from. Find plenty of Mexican classics at brunch, lunch and dinner. Three tacos will run you about $15 or you can choose from more substantial, taco-free house specials like the Banderillas de Cordero slow-braised lamb shoulder skewers. Plates are meant to be shared and the same goes for the drink menu. It’s worth splurging for slushy margarita pitchers, with options like the frutas fresca, packing in El Jimador tequila, triple sec, agave nectar and a choice of mango, blackberry, watermelon and strawberry.

Seven Lives Pulpo Taco. Image credit: Stacey McLeod

Seven LivesThis Kensington Market taqueria is famous for its fish tacos and slow-cooked pork carnitas (which can sell out fast.) This place can get packed from the moment the doors open and while it mostly caters to take-out crowds, you can try to score the lone table, slide up to the counter or plunk yourself on the sidewalk with the rest of the crowds. Try the Pulpo a la Mexican taco with perfectly-grilled octopus piled high on two blue corn tortillas and, if you dare, a dollop of hot habanero garlic sauce. You can cool down your taste buds with house-made lemonade. Or head across the street to the Seven Lives Paleteria for cold treats ranging from shrimp cocktails and ceviches, to frozen bananas and a freezer full of Mexican-style frozen paletas like mango chili, cherry coconut and watermelon.

Playa Cabana Hacienda
Playa Cabana Hacienda remains one of the top spots for Mexican dining in the city, part of the Mas Playas family of restaurants that also includes other Playa Cabana outposts, Cocina Economica in Corktown and Cafeteria on College. The Dupont St. and Avenue Rd. Hacienda location is loved for it’s party vibe and heaping portions of Mexican classics, from burritos and enchiladas to tacos on corn tortillas or lettuce wraps. Fillings range from pollo tinga chicken and braised short rib in a rich ancho-guajillo sauce to a spicy jerk lobster, made with fresh Canadian lobster tossed in jerk sauce and topped with celery slaw. Be sure to try the sweet churro poutine made with marshmallow curds, cajeta gravy and cinnamon sugar.

Grand Electric It’s no secret that Grand Electric has been one of the top players in Toronto’s taco scene since it opened in 2011 and it’s still tops with west-side crowds who cram into the Parkdale spot for loud tunes and seemingly-endless tacos. Try the smoky pork belly al pastor with marinated pork belly, pickled pineapple, onion and cilantro, or house specialties like the fresh tuna ceviche tostada and ultra-addictive mole-dusted chicken wings. If you find it too hard to snag a spot in the restaurant or on the patio, you can also order takeout or delivery through UberEats, or try track down their taco truck around town.

Pocho Corn. Image credit Stacey McLeod

El Pocho Antojitos BarThis small snack bar, situated in the Annex between Dupont and Bloor, opened a year ago and quickly became a hot spot for Mexican street-style fare and gluten-free feasting. Simple dishes are stars here, from the extra-salty, made-to-order white corn tortilla chips served with creamy guacamole and a refreshingly-sweet salsa, to the elotes, grilled corn-on-the-cob smothered in creamy queso cotija, jalapeno aioli and loads of fresh cilantro. You’ll be picking cilantro out of your teeth for an hour but it’s so worth it. Head to their front patio for Mexican-inspired brunch classics like chilaquiles, huevos rancheros and the egg-and-cactus breakfast taco.

Wilbur Mexicana
King West crowds love this “fast-casual” place where you order at the counter then wait for it to be delivered to your table. If you’re someone who likes it hot, a trip here is a must. There are roughly 60 types of hot sauces at the self-serve station and you can purchase hot sauces, pickled onions, peppers and dried ghost peppers to take home. Wilbur is well-known for its burrito bowls and wide variety of tacos on crispy, flour and corn tortillas, including vegetarian options like the grilled avocado with pineapple salsa, chipotle crema and cotija, to more unconventional options like the Korean-inspired bulgogi taco.

Image credit La Carnita

La CarnitaThe local Mexican chain has locations strategically-placed in action-packed neighbourhoods around town, including Little Italy, Riverside and in the Entertainment District next to the Sweet Jesus ice cream shop. Tacos like the carne asada (flat-iron steak) may be on the smaller side but pack in tons of flavour with tomatillo salsa, chipotle mayo and fresh lime avocado, as do the creamy Mexican street corn and the Mexican chorizo meatballs with ancho and guajillo chili sauce, queso fresco, crema and cilantro. Wash it down with a glass of sweet rice milk or Mexican Coca Cola, or top it off with a key lime pie paleta or Sweet Jesus ice cream cake.